Ignition arrangement for internal-combustion engines and other purposes.



n H. A. HUMPHMY: 4 IGNITION ARRANGBMENT FOR INTERNAL GOMBUSTION ENGINES ANI) OTHER PURPOSES.

APPLICATION FILED 23.16, 1909. l Patented Feb. 18,1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

H. KA. HUMPHREY. IGNITION AEEANGEMENT EOE INTERNAL GOMEUSTION ENGINES AND OTHER PURPOSES.

' APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, 1909. l

1,053,395, Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. A. HUMPHRBY. IGNITION ARRANGEMENT FOR INTERNAL GOMBUSTION ENGINES AND OTHER PURPOSES.

APPLIOATION FILED APB. 16, 1909. 1,053,395, Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3` H. A. HUMPHREY. A IGNITION AREANGEMENT FOB INTERNAL GOMBUSTION ENGINES AND OTHER PURPOSES.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 16, 1909.

Patented Feb. 18,1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

H. A. HUMPHREY. IGNITIONv ARRANGEMBNT FOR INTERNAL GoMBUsTIoN ENGINESv AND OTHER PURPosBs.

i APPLIOATION FILED APR. 16, 1909. 1,053,955 Patented Feb. 18, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SEEET 5 :uNiTEi-o sfrATEs PATENT ernten.

HERBERT ALFRED NUMBER-Ev, oF wEsTMINsTEE, LONDON, ENGLAND, AssIGNoR rro HUMPHEEY Gas PUMP COMPANY, A coRroRA'rioN or NEW YORK.

IGNITIOZ-ARRANGE-1VIENT FOB,v INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES AND OTHER i PURPOSES.

.Specification of Letterslnatent. Patentedl Feb. 18, 1913.

Application filed April 16, 1909. Serial No. 490,419.

- To all whom' it may concern:

vigniting a gaseous mixture in an internalI 'combustion engine or the like, whereby the occurrence of the 'ignition is dependent upon I the compression pressure havingreached the maximum incidental to each particular charge.

My present invention relates tocimprovements in ,apparatus for applying this method and for rendering it more readily, available in those cases where the ignition spark is produced by a magneto-machine.

According to the invention the movement of the'small motor which in the form as" herein shown comprises a piston and rod and is actuated by the pressure of the gasef specification, is' used to store energy, the whole or a' part of which may be liberated steadily or suddenly, steady liberationybef ling preferable when a batteryand coil are sudden liberationwhena magneto. n

used and is used. Thus the small niotorfmay' store energy by loading one or more springs, lifting a weight, compressing an elastic cushion, or creating avacuum, .or any'other Suitable method. This energy, or a part thereof, is liberated or transformed to produce rela'- tive motion between parts of the 'apparat-us in order to determine a spark or a succes'- sion of sparks at the ignition plug consequent ing reached the -rnaXimum incidental to each particular charge. y

The .accoinpany-ing drawings illustrate several forms of apparatus constructed according to the invention. Figures 1 and 2 are respectively. a sectional elevatioii and afside elevaticry cffone form of apparatus, certain parte ving been removed in Fig.'y 2; Figs. 3e@ detail views of modifications which may be 'intrede-iced intothis form.' Figs. 'i' and.' 8

upon the compression ,y pressure havare respectively a sectional elevation` and a part side elevation of another form. Fig. 9` is a sectional elevation of a third form, Figs. 10 and 11 being detail views thereof. Fig. l2 is a vertical section through a fourth form, the section being on line a-a of Fig.

tion and Fig. 17 an elevation of aiift-h form,

of this form.

In Figs. 1 and 2 are shown diagrammatically an electrical circuit and connections.'

from the cylinder ofthe internal combus tion engine or vthe like throughl a pipe to which the connecting piece 1 of the small cylinder 2 is screwed. When the apparatus pumps of the type described in my pending Il. S. applicationSerial rNo., 438,425 the pressure'oi` the gaseous mixture is preferably communicated'to thel ignition apparato the piston 3 is a rodQAc which passes through a: hole or gland in the cover 6 screwed into the top of the'small cylinder. This rod carries a projecting piece 7` to .which is attached one end of aband V8 pass- 'ing around a'i'anged metalwheel 9 andl haywhich is `supportedby a plate 11 and a pil1arj1'2. Rigidly fastened to the .wheel is is limited by two projecting stops 14 and 15 which form pa'rt of the switch block of insulating material. Let intof-the switch block ',arin'to ride over,l passing between 'the stops, is a metal contact piece 16 electrically connected with the terminal' 17. -The bearing`f18 which carriesA the wheel 9 andthe terminal 19 is insulatedby the piece 20. placed between the; f }'ring and metal plate 11. Rod 4 carriesonei'br more projections or collars such as 21'andj .22. The lower collar /21 is fastened tothe'rod by, a pin and is onj intended to limit the downward motion tus through the medium of: a liquid which?,

causedtocoinpress the spring 5. Attached a metal` switch arm 13 the lmotion of which sonas-"to form a level surface for-the Iswitch 13 which is itself a. transverse 'section on line 21e-f?) of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a vertical sec- Figs. 15 and lvbeing sectional detail views Referring first tov Figs. 1" and 2, the pres- I sure of the gaseous mixture is communicated y is used to ignite the combustible mixture inl 75- ing its'otherl end attached to a spring 10' of piston 3. l""Iheupper collaris adapted to engage switch arms 23 and 24 and so to contact 25 or 27 respectively, 25 and 27 being insulated from the conducting'switch bodies 33 and 34 by pieces 29 and 30 respectively. 1

The working of the apparatus is as follows :4-An electric circuit, which includes a battery ',155 and the low tension portion of a sparking coil 156, is connected with the apparatus at termina-ls 31 and 17. wWith the parts in the posit-ion'. shown the current passes from the battery through the sparking coil 156 to. the terminal 31 through contact 28 and switch arm 24 tothe body of switch 33 and so to the metal pillar 35, through switch body 34, contactj26, `and switch arm 23 to terminal 32,l thence by a wire not shown to terminal 19 through the spindle andy metal wheel 9 along switch arm 13 and through contact piece\16 to terminal v17 and back to the battery, and so long as the parts remain inthe position shown the trembler coil will cause a succession of sparks. topass at a `high tension plug 157 `fastened inthe-engine cylinder 158. This position, however, only occurs o-nce in each cycle as will now be explained. At the beginning of the compression strokespring 5 has urged piston 3 to a position in which collar 21 touches plate llkand collar. 22 has depressed switch arm 23 to open contact between 26 -andr25. As compression proceeds piston 3 is forced yupward and band 8 turns wheel 9 so that switch arm 13 passes from the lower stop 15 to the upper stop 14 which now limits the motion of the wheel and for the rest of the compression stroke band 8 has to slide around wheel 9 and stretch the spring 10. In moving'as described switch arm 13-p'asses over ccf'itact 16 before collar 22 rises far .enoug 1i ro allow switch 34 to close so that the circuit is not completed during the p'assage of the switch arm over the contact; shortly afterward, however, collar 22 rising, allows spring 36 to turn switch arm 23 around pivot 37 and make contact between 26 and 25. lVhen compression pressure has reached the maximum incidental to the particular'charge and declines slightly therefrom piston 3 moves a short distance downward and spring 10 pulling on band 8 turns wheels 9 and -switch arm 13 so that the latter passes from stop 14 to contact. 16.l The circuit is now coin- V pleted and sparking occurs at the ignition plug so that the combustible charge is ignited. The consequent sudden rise. of pressure causesthe piston 3 to be pushed up until collar 22 strikes switch arm 24 and breaks the circuit at 28 and 27, the circult having. been'also broken immediately after explosion by switch ar1n.13 moving again up to stop 14. `When expansion occurs switch arm 13 passes from stop 14 to stop 15 before collar 22 is released from engagement against switch arm 24, and thus, when ex- .pansion has proceeded far enough to allow switch 33 to close,fthe-circuit yet remains broken. Asexpansion, proceeds collar 22- engages against switch arm 23 and opens the l circuit at 26 and 25 until, when atmospheric pressure or thereabouts is reached, all the parts are once again inthe position from which they started and the circuit vremains broken during the exhaust and vsuction strokes in the enginel cylinder and until the next compression stroke occurs, when the cycleof operations is repeated. The position of collar 22 on rod 4 can be adjusted and switches 33'and 34 can be made to slide on pillar so that they may be secured in suitable relative positions, the object'being --that at pressures below the range of compression pressures switch 34 shall be opened by collar 22 and at pressures above the range of compression pressures collar 22 shall open switch 33. It will thus be seen that although the beginning of the compression stroke and also at the beginning of the expansion stroke yet no current passes in either case and the circuit is only completed when switch arm 13 passes to contact l16 at the end of the compression stroke as described. that a very small decreasefofy pressure at the end of the compression stroke may cause ignition, an adjustable screw 3f) is fitted which forms the upper stop for switch arm 13 and by screwing down 39 vthe switch arm may be arrested so as to leave as small agap between it and contact 16'as'1'nay be found convenient. y f' Instead of the two switches 33 and In order shown in F 1g. 1 a single switch may be made portions 45 and 46 adapted to. press against a spring plate 47 which is rigidly fastened by screws 48at one end and at the other end carries a contact piece 49 adapted to make contact with the terminal 50 which is fixed in 1an. insulated body 51. In the position shown. collar 41 has' depressed 42 and so by pressure between the rounded portion 46 and the spring plate 47 the latter has been forced outward to break contact between 49 Vand 50. As rod 4 rises spring pla-te 47 causes switch arm 42 to assume a horizontal position and brings 49 into contact with thus closing this part of the circuit. 49 and remain in 4contact until the lower collar 40 reaches switch arm 42 and turning it about pivot 44 causes the other rounded p'p1- ilo tion 45 to press the spring plateto the right and again break contact between 49 and 50. Collars 40 and 41 are adjustable on the rod so that the upper and lower limits of pressure at which the switch opens may be made to correspond with the range of compression pressures desired as explained with reference to the two switches inA Fig. 1.

Instead of wheel'9 being turned by a band passing around it and receiving motion from rod 4 the rod itself may give mot-ion direct to the wheel by frictional contact therewith as shown in Fig. 4.` For the sake of equalizing Athe pressure on the-two sides of the rod tact with the rod ll sinceso long as switch arm 18 is between so. their motion is again arrested by contact with the other stop;v

the upper and-lower stops 14 and 15 any movement of rod 4 causes the wheel 9 and ."switcharm 13 to rotate, but when the switch further movement of the rod 4 in the same "direction onlycauses slipping between rod 4 and wheel 9, but immediatel arm has been moved against one'of the stops rod 4 commences to move 1n a reverse'di'rection wheel 9 and switch arm 13 also begin to move until A rack 4aand pinion 9a (Figs. 5 and 6) Y may be substituted for rod 4 and wheel 9.

In' this case the switch arm is attached to a ,friction disk 58 which rubs against but is not 1 secured to lpinion 9?. The latter is secured to shaft 59 mounted inbearings 60, 61, and

-gby' frictionl drives the disk 58 and switch i`arm13 which are free to revolve on the same shaft. l The'amount of pressure between the pinion and the friction disk may be adjusted by a compression spring 62 acting upon oney arm of a lever 63 pivote'd at. 64; the other arm 65 `presses the shaft and pinion to the right as shown in Fig. 6, and the thrust upon friction disk 58 is taken by a small ball bearing formed between the projecting' por- `tion 66 of the friction disk and the end of the bearing 61. In this"arrangement.the

f vpinion friction disk and switch arm are free to move together' between the limits imposed by-stops14 and 15 but when the switch arm lis arrested by one of the stops the pinion and the rack alonecontinue to move until a re- .verse movement begins, when the whole of i I the parts once againbegin tomove together.

If the spark-,which causes ignition is to be derived from ainagneto-machine instead of from a battery vand ignition coil, as in the .last case, a suitable arrangement is that shown in Figs. 7a1id 8. Ingthese figures and those `which followfthey apparatus has" been drawn with the axis of cylinder 2 vertif cal. In practice it is'preferable that the that the said axis is horizontal.A The cylinmeans of which it is bolted to a long angle' bracket 68, to which is also secured an ordinary magneto-electric machine 69. The armature of the magneto is secured to shaft 70 to which is attached forked lever 71 and two projecting lugs 7 2 and 73. `Springs fastened to anchors 74 and 75 on the frame of the magneto tend to keep thearmature in its normal position and arm 71 in the position shown. rlhe object of t-he apparatus now `being described is to draw arm 71 downward as the-compression pressure rises, thus putting considerable tension on springs 76 and 7 7 and when the compression pressure has reached a maximum' and begins to declinetherefrom to release suddenly arm 7] so that springs 76 and. 77 cause a quick partial spark in. the well known manner. purpose of giving the required motion to arm 71 there is fitted to rod `4 a vcrosshead 78 carrying a pivot 79 upon which two flanged wheels 80 and 8l can rotate within the limits of fixed stops.P Passing over the wheels are bands 82 and 83 each fastened at one end to the cylinder cover 6 and at the other end to a .spring Only one band and spring is, shown in Fig. 7 but both are shown in Fig. 8 and it will be observed that while the band and its movable end attached to the spring at the left, the band on the other wheel is reversed in this respect so that its fixed end is secured at 84 the 4result of this arrangemove in either .direction the two wheels and 81 rotate in o-pposite directions. 'Attached to wheel 80 is a jaw 85 and attached to wheel 81 is a jaw 86, these twojaws formv.in Fig.`7 where 'they are also shown gripping the reduced part 87 of alink`88 carrying a headv 89 behind which the jaws engage. Y

lows z-'TPressure is communicated from the engine cylinder to the small cylinder 2 through a pipe attached to the part 90 so that the pressure is exerted upon the top side ."of the piston 3. At the commencementof'the compression stroke the parts are in pressure rises piston 3 is forced downward against the action of spring 5 and springs 76- and 77. Jaws 85 and 86 engaging behind the head 89 cause link 88 to slide in lits guides 91 and'92 and pin 93 in this link pulls lever7l downward, thus rotating the magneto armature.i When the compression pressure reaches a nyaximum incidental to the particular charge and begins to decline therefrom asmall upward movement of rod --4 causes the wheels "8O and 81 to revolve in.

positionA of the apparatus should be such der 2 carries a foot 67 (Figs. 7 and 8) by revolution 'of the armature and produce a For the ment being that when rod 4 commences to lThe action of the apparatus is as fol#` the position shown in Fig. 7, andas theshown in Fig. 7 has its fixed end at the right ing the left and right jaws shown in section opposite directions and to open the jaws 85 and 86 attached to them, thus releasing link l88 and permitting springs 76 and 77 to give creased pressure and` such motion may be limited either by spring 5 alone or by suitable stops.- During this downward motion the jaws 85 and 86 close but subsequently, while the products of combustion expand in the engine cylinder the parts move upward again, and the jaws open and remain open until they pass over and a little beyond head 89. The respective parts remain in about the same relative positions during the exhaust and suction strokes and on the begin ning of the next compression stroke when rod 4: commences to move downward jaws 85 and 86 close on to the reduced portion 87 while they are drawn against head 89 so that the further movement of rod al. carries link 88 with it and the cycle of operations is repeated.

A modification of the apparatus last described is shown in Figs. 9-11, thc' small cylinder and piston being the same as in the last case but the rod 4L is now shown continued rightithrough guide 92 and having a screwed end upon which nuts 9/1 are screwed to adjust the pressure on a compression spring 95 placed between washer 96 and guide 92. Easily sliding on rod 4- is a sleeve 97, and another sleeve 98 is rigidly fixed to rod t. These two sleeves are connected by togglelinks 99 and 100 pivoted at 101, 102, and 103, and shown in side view'in F ig. 1 0.

To the fixed sleeve 98 is fastened a band 104' which passes over a wheel 105 and has its other end att-ached to spring 106. A hook 107 fastened to lug 108 by nuts serves to ad just the tensionon this spring. Vheel 105' carries an arm 109 which moves between adjustable stops 110 and 111 and limits the motion of the wheel. The latter also car! ries a long arm 112 on which is a plate 113 adapted to press against projections 4114: on one of the toggle links and so to force the center pivot 102 to the-left of the line of the pivots 101 and 103. I

The action of the apparatus is as follows 1-At the beginning of the compression i' stroke the parts are? in" the relative positions ton downward. Baring this inovem shown and the three pivots 101, 102 and 103 being all in a straight line the movement of sleeve 98 can be transmitted to sleeve 97 through `the toggle links 99 and 100 thus causing the-lever 71 to-krotate'the magneto armature against the action of springs 76 and 77 while the rising pressure forte-'s the piston the friction of band 104 on 105 causes arm 109 to be tightly pressed against stop 11G'but as soon as the compression pressure has attained the maximumiincidental to the particular charge and commences to recede therefrom, wheel 105 is turned so that arm 109 passes fromv stop 110 toward stop 111. This mot-ion of the wheel movement due to the tension on springs 76 and 77 and to cause the spark which tires the explosive mixture. The rise of pressure on explosion moves the piston downward against the action of springs 5 and 95, but as the pressure falls again during expansion the springs move the piston upward once more until the toggle links are straightened outand again assume the position shown in the drawing and all parts are ready for a repetition of the cycle on the next compression stroke.

Low tension magneto electric machines are constructed in which the current 'produced by the armature magnetizes a movable part attached to one of the contacts of the sparking plug and so, by magnetic attraction, breaks the low tension current automatically. Such an arrangement may be used in connection with the apparatus. described as it obviates the necessity for any other mechanism for breaking the'low tension circuit. When high tension magnetos are used t-he spark jumps acrossl aspark gap in the usual manner. i

l,When the pressure of the combustible mixture in the engine cylinder is communi-v cated to thelignition apparatus through a duct containing liquid the said liquid may be made to produce such relative motion between working parts of the apparatus as is required to fulfil"v4 the conditions tor igniting the charge when the compression pressure has reached a maximum. In Figs. 12 and 13 for instance, the cylinder 2 in which the piston 3 of the apparatus moves may form a chamber. divided by a wall 115 into two compartments 116'and' 117 communicating with each other by twopassages 118 and 119 controlled by non-return valves held against their seats by adjustable springs. In the gures one valve 1,2 0 and one sprmg 121 are sliown but lthe other valve opentig from chamber 117 to passage 119 is omlt Ports 122 and 123 in therespective chambers lcnnmunicate. with a cylindrical bore 124y in which slides a piston 125 limited 1n motion by two stops and 127. Attached to the piston by pin 128 is a plate 1 29 slotted to engage screws 130 and having one end turned up to carry an insulated metal vpiece 131 forming part of, a switch, so that the said switch is closed when plate 129 1s "moved upward and opened when 129 moves downward. The liquid which conveys the pressure from the engine cylinder to the apparatus enters through a pipe screwed into y I one part 'of the` inlet box 132, vbetween the two parts "of which is held a wire gauze Astra'iner'133. For the proper action of the apparatus the whole of the spaces above the piston are lled with liquid and as the pressure on the compression stroke rises liquid Yis forced vthrough the inlet box, chamber 117 and passage 1197 causing the valve situated in this passage to open thus admitting liquid-to force piston .3 downward against the, v action of its spring.

Passage 118 remains closed by valve 120 and a difference of pres?V sure, equivalent to that required to lift the valve and-drive the liquid through passages 119 exists between the two compartments 116 and 117. Consequently the pressure on the two ends offpiston 125 is unequaland the piston is urged downward against stop l, .in passage 119'closes and'valve 120 opens liquidrv being forced past the last mentions Vvalve through passage 118 into compartment117. .Thusg the difference of pressure `in .the two compartments is Vreversed and piston 125 moves upward closing switch 131;*and producing a spark or a succession of sparks by, means of the usual battery and 'sparkingcoil .TheVv increase' of pressure oni explosion againzcauses the pistons 3 and 125 to move. downward and 'during expansion Vto which; is lrigidly attached, and thisv pivot isprolonged to pass through a gland of the llburntgases-y they both move upward Aagain Jand -ta si'onstroke when vthe cycle of operations is '.ijepeatedg The .rod -4 attached tov piston 3 carries collars40 and 41 which operate a switch placedin' series with 'the switch 131 and otthesame. kind as that describedin cqnn'ection with Fig. 3f;- so that thefcircuit is broken by this-y switch at pressures bothbelowy and above therange of compression pressures. thus eliminating the possibility ofl'switclr 131 causing a spark except at'the end 'of -the compression stroke.- When in operation thel apparatus should be placed withvit'suaxis horizontal; v A modificationofthe apparatus last described is Yshown, in Figs. 14 to 17.' The cylinder 2in which the piston 3 moves is divided by 'a diaphragm 134 having an aperturelintolwhicha door 135 accurately but easily ts. The 'door swings on a pivot Il136 137 (Fig. 16) andcarries a switch arm 138. Lirgsl 1539.-. and 140 on the inner surface of e up the positions required'y `for the commencement of the next compresthe cylinder carry a guide rod 141 on'which slide two sleeves 142 and 143 urged by springs 144 and 145 against the two sides of the door and thus normally keeping the door in its middle position so that it closes the aperture. The pressure from the engine cylinder is communicated to the apparatus at the screwed part 146 and Aafter passing through the inlet box 147 and wire gauze 148 enters cylinder 2 by forcing open door 135 so as to allow more liquid to pass from compartment 149 'into compartment 150 and act upon the piston 3 which is forced 'up' ward against the action of spring 151 as the pressurerises. When the compression pres sure reaches the Amaximum incidental to that particular charge, the `flow past door 135 to compartment 150 ceases and spring 145 pressing on door 135 tends to return it to its middle position even before the pressure begins to fall. If this motion Vvdoes not cause switch arm 138 'to enter its contact 133, which will depend on the strength of spring 145, yet the-first downward movement of piston 3 will'cause-thedoor to -move Lon its hinge and so bring switch arm 138 against contact 138*, thus completing the circuit and producing the' sparks which ignite the charge. The rise of pressure lon the explo sion causes the door t'o swing upward again and also drives the piston farther'upward and on the expansion stroke thedoor and the piston again move downward wherethey re-v main during thev exhaust and suction strokes and are ready to start a fresh cycleot' operations on 'the next compression stroke. At-

tached to rod 4'is an arm 152 adapted to close Contact between the insulated metallic parts 153 and 154 '(Fig. 1 5) attached. tol

terminals and -in series vwith switch contact 138*. At low pressures the armis below-the metallic parts and at high pressures above them sov that the circuit is kept ope'n except within the range of vthe compression pressures desired and these'parts" last described take the place of switches 33 and 34 in Fig. 1, orf'switch 49 in Fig.' 12. In operation the apparatus should be placed with itsaxis horizontal. f

The invention is not confined to the particu. lar apparatus described, but the principle on which it operates having-been-mad'clear it will be understood that the actual `Aapparatus maybe widely modified. Thuspwhere the, ignition of the charge-is to `be .effected by'a 'magnet-0 the apparatus has been described as storing energy. in a yspring or springs and then liberating this energy or a portion of the energy at an appropriate moment in the cycle. 'It ris evident-'that energy can be stored by compressing an elasticy cushion such asa quantity of air inclosed between the end-of a small cylinder and .a pistonor by causing the. motion ofla 4piston Ito produce a vacuum,and that .in

ated to act suddenly upon another piston which in turn actuates ,the magneto. Any suitable part of the small motor, such as the wheell operated by the piston rod and band already described, may serve to operate a valve or valves in a ,pipe connecting the place where energy .is stored to the place where the energy is utilized, the operation lo of such. releasing device being determined by tliecompression pressure having reached its maximum'.

either case the stored energy-may be liberinvention and the best means I know'l of carrying the same into practical 4eifect, I

claim l. In apparatus for igniting a charge oi"-v` gaseousmixture in internal combustion'engines and the like, 'an electrical ignition device connected operated solely by the changes of` pressure in the engine cylinder, means operated by the motor to store energy, and a device adapted to control the ignition device and to be moved inoperatively in one direction b by the motor when operated by the pressurel of the gaseous mixture and operatively in a reverse direction by the action of the said energy, when liberated consequent upon the compression pressure of the mixture having reached. the maximum incidental to each particular charge, to cause a spark vto be produced at the ignition device.

2. In apparatus for igniting a charge of gaseous mixture in internal combustion engines and the like, an electrical ignition device connected with the engine, a motor operated solely by the changes of pressure in the engine cylinder,

40 motor to store ener,= and a device adapted to control the ignition device and to be moved inoperatively in one direction by the motor when operated by the pressure of the gaseous mixture, and operatively in a reverse direction by the action of the said energy, when liberated consequent upon the compression pressure of the mixture having reached the maximum incidental to each particular charge,

controlling device comprising a controlling` member and a 'driving connection vbetween #the motor and thess'aid member whereby the member only follows the movement of lthe Fifmotor for a short distance each time 4the movement of the motor changes its direction and is shifted to substantially as described.

3. In apparatus for igniting a chargent gaseous mixture in internal combustion engines and the like, a motor operatedby the pressure of the gaseous mixture-and adapted to store energy, an electric circuit containing a battery, an ignition devicein said circuit and connected withtheengine,

with -the engine, a motor means operated by the` to cause a spark to be. 50 produced `at the ignition device,v the said' an inoperative position,

ymeans actuated by the said energy when liberated consequent upon the compression pressure of the mixture having reached the maximum incidental to each particular charge, to cause .a spark to bel produced at the ignition device, said means comprising aswitch in said circuit, a driving connection between the motor and the switch whereby the switch is moved first into a closed position each time the movement of the motor changes its direction, and a second switch y l in series with the first switch and adapted l Having thus described the nature of my= to be opened by the motor -when its stroke 'in leither' direction exceeds certain predeterminedand adjustable limits, substantially as described.

4. In apparatus for igniting a charge of gaseous mixture in internal combustion en- 'gin-e's and the like, a motor operated by the pressure of the gaseous mixture and adapted to store energy, an electric circuit containing a battery, an ignition device connected with the engine, means actuated by `the said energy when liberated consequent upon the compression pressure of the mix- -fture having reached the tal to each particular spark to be produced at said means comprising a switch in said circuit, a driving connection between the motor and the switch whereby the switch' is moved first into a closed position and then again maximum incidencharge, to cause a' the ignition device,

- into an open position each time the movement of the motor changes its direction, and a vsecond switch in series with the. first switch and adapted to be. opened by the motor when its `stroke in either direction ex'- ceeds certain predetermined and adjustable limits, substantially as described.

' 5. Means for the electrical ignition of a compressed combustible charge, comprising an electric circuit and means for closing andl breaking the same and means actuated by the compression pressure of the char e for maintaining the closing means inegective until after the maximum of suchV compression is reached, and circuit breakingmeans actuated by the expansion pressure. 6. Means' for the electrical ignition of a. com ressed combustible char e, comprisin an e ectric circuit and means or closing an breaking the same, and means actuated by the compression pressure'of the char e for maintaining. the closing means inefgective until after the maximum of such compression is reached and then rendering said lclos- Iing means suddenly effective, and circuit' breaking means actuated by the expansion pressure.

- 7. Means for theelectrical ignition of a, compressed combustible charge, comprising an electric circuit and means for closing and breaking the same, and 'means actuated by the compression pressure ofthe charge for maintaining' the closing means ineffective until after the .maximum of such compression is reached 4and. then rendering the closing means effective immediately upon abatement of maximum pressure, and cir- 5 cuit breaking means actuated bypthe expansion pressure.

8'. Means for the electrical ignition of a compressed combustible charge, comprising an electric circuit and means for closing and breaking the same, and means actuatedl by the compression .pressure oft'he char e for maintaining the closingme'ans' ine ective until after lthe maximum of such compression is'reached, means for' adjusting the range of. effective pressuresl for causing said actuation, and circuit breaking means actu# ated by the expansion pressure.

9. Means for the electrical ignition of a compressed combustible'charge, comprisinga sourc-eof electrical energy,acircuit connected therewith, a sparking device in said circuit and means for closing andbreaking the circuit, comprising movable elements and an actuating devicelcontrolled by the compression pressure of the combustible charge, the parts arranged anda/adapted to effect the sparking immediately upon the fall of said 'l circuit'and means for closing and breakingV the circuit at a plurality of separated points, comprising movable" elements and an actuatingdevice controlled by the compression pressure of the combustible charge, .the parts arranged and adapted to complete the circuit and eiect the sparkingv immediately upon the `fall of said compression pressure from maximum, and independently actuated circuit breaking means aifected by expansion pressure.

In testimony whereof I havesigned my name to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERBERT ALFRED HUMrHREr. Witnesses:

JOSEPH MLLLARD, A

vW. J. SKERTEN. i

Copies of this pate-'nt may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

/- c Washington, D. C. 

